2013 Choral Evensong for the Commemoration of Charles, King and Martyr.
The Choral Evensong held in St Mary's Church is one of the highlights of the year for many Old Carolians, their wives and partners, and a sizeable congregation. This year, again, the service was led by the Rev Canon Owain Bell, with the joint choirs of St Mary's and St Barnabas', led by the new Director of Music, James Bradley. The organist was David Terry.
The first lesson (Timothy, Chapter 6, Verses 12 to 16) was read by the Headteacher of King Charles I School, Tim Gulliver; the second lesson (St Matthew, Chapter 20, Verses 20 to28) was read by the President, Ann Mullard.
Canon Bell, in his opening, reminded us of the King's execution and quoted from the contemporary sources of the day: 'I die a Christian,' said Charles. 'I have a good cause… and move from a corruptible to an incorruptible world… where there is no disturbance.'
The sermon was given by a Reader from St Mary's, Ian Strongman. His interesting comments concentrated on asking us to think of the word 'martyr' as it applies to the liturgy. St Stephen was a martyr as he declared Jesus to be the Messiah and was stoned to death for his faith, but was Charles a martyr, too? Ian argued that there could be no doubt. The Court that tried Charles was illegitimate; he refused to plead guilty or renounce his faith and his brand of Christianity was close to Calvinism and to Richard Baxter. It concentrated on salvation through faith, where Charles expressed free will in accepting the salvation of being 'born again in God's spirit'.
The service also included a hymn of Richard Baxter, with the opening verse exemplifying Charles' faith, that God would see him through his execution.
'Lord, it belongs not to my care
Whether I die or live;
To love and serve thee is my share
And this thy grace must give.'
We cannot resist ending this account of the Choral Evensong without a comment on Canon Bell. Owain is retiring in September 2013 after 41 years' dedicated service in the Church. Old Carolians know him as a great friend of the Association and a man of many attributes, not all exclusively religious. He will be sadly missed and we hope that he will be able to enjoy a long, healthy and happy retirement. All will surely agree that he would have been a popular and respected bishop.
'Captain' Peter Vaughan, Home Affairs Correspondent